Secrets of a sustainable traveller: how to cut your carbon impact
More of us than ever want greener getaways that won’t cost the Earth, but there’s a lot of conflicting information out there. Keep it simple with these ideas for your next holiday
As summer rolls round, so does peak holiday season. It can be hard to know how to match up your desire for a holiday with the desire to be eco-friendly - but it doesn't have to be impossible. Here's 7 tips on how to consider the environmental impact of your next travel plans, plus four sustainable holiday options in the UK and Europe.
Recognise the impact of air travel
Air travel is not sustainable, even if you pay to offset emissions (such schemes are generally considered to be a complementary action, not a substitute for reducing emissions). Though comparisons vary according to the fuel efficiency of different planes, air travel accounts for around 70 per cent of a holidaymaker’s carbon emissions; flying between London and Paris, for instance, emits about 10 times more carbon dioxide than train travel. The Independent reported that one long-haul flight generates the same amount of CO2 saved by two people going vegan for a year. Emissions are greater at take-off and landing, so short haul is not a solution either.
Fly less, stay longer
Travelling more sustainably is a puzzle to be figured out individually but the importance of reducing carbon emissions is irrefutable and air travel is the most significant contributor. It’s understandable that many of us decide to carry on flying, overwhelmed by the scale of the issue. Yet, cutting out flying made me feel more hopeful. Affordable long-distance train fares can sometimes feel trickier to track down than white truffles, but flying less and staying longer (rather than lots of shorter trips) is a good rule.
Keep the three pillars in mind
Take three things into consideration – minimising your environmental impact, supporting local communities and choosing experiences that help protect natural landscapes and wildlife. Pick operators with valid sustainable certifications (you’ll find an audited list of the myriad schemes operating worldwide at Travalyst).
Make the most of local culture
Trying local specialities rather than chain restaurants helps show people you value their culture (as well as tasting better). Opting for small, independently owned hotels and specialist local operators over all-inclusive hotels, large resorts or cruise ships supports local knowledge, better employment practices and friendlier environmental credentials. Choosing independent cafés and owner-managed holiday cottages are other ways of ensuring your money goes directly into local economies.
Focus on the positives
“Where should I go on my next holiday?” If I’d been given an air mile for every time someone asked me for travel tips I’d be living on the International Space Station, turning slow-mo cartwheels. Or, at least, I would be if I hadn’t stopped flying five years ago. While this decision may sound radical, it wasn’t simply eco-anxiety that persuaded me to take this step but the more rewarding experiences I had when I chose a greener path. Sustainable travel is where the biggest innovators are, where the hospitality is heartfelt and holidays have the most magic.
Avoid the beaten track
As travel has become industrialised it can sometimes feel as though you’re having the same experience in Parma as in Palma. Swap destinations plagued by overtourism for lesser-visited ones and you get to enjoy a more rewarding, unique experience while boosting local economies and helping take the pressure off busier locations.
Champion communities
Dressing and behaving, appropriately for the destination is important but there is more you can do to have a positive impact on the places you’re visiting. Whether hiking from village to village, paying for the services of an expert guide, contributing to a nearby conservation project or learning how to make regional dishes with a local cook, tracking down experiences that champion cultures and conservation, and shying away from those that cause environmental damage, or exploit local communities and drain their resources, is key.
Make the journey count
While nowhere is off-limits with enough time and money saved up, travelling sustainably doesn’t mean restricting yourself to camping locally. In 2023, I visited Greece’s Vikos Gorge by train, ferry and foot. Last summer we used Interrail passes to travel to Italy as a family, fuelling our way around with wild boar ragu and gelato. The journey became part of the adventure rather than just the means to an end.
Four sustainable holidays
The Stockholm Archipelago Trail, Sweden
This new 167-mile hiking route links 21 islands and can be done in short sections. Start with a cosy cabin stay in Nåttarö then hop north via Ålö and Utö by ferry, hiking forest trails, swimming and eating cinnamon buns. stockholmarchipelagotrail.com
Gourmet Walking Holiday in the Alps, France
France’s quieter southern French Alps make a dramatic backdrop to a week of guided hiking and feasting. Staying in luxury guesthouses, your luggage is transferred for you and picnics in the meadows are a highlight. undiscoveredmountains.com
Dr Kavvadia’s Farm, Greece
This organic olive oil farm on Corfu also has two stylish holiday cottages. Guests can help themselves to the farm’s produce and book olive oil tours and tastings, or head out to make the most of owner Apostolos’ foodie recommendations around Corfu. drkavvadia.com
One Cat Farm, Wales
As sustainable as they are stylish, the four wooden cabins at this back-to-nature hideaway are set within a three-acre nature reserve. With foodies in mind, guests are encouraged to support local bakeries, market gardens, gastropubs and artisan gelato shops. onecatfarm.com
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